Little Downsend Leatherhead

13 Epsom Road, Leatherhead KT22 8ST
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9.0 32 Reviews
  • Little Downsend Leatherhead, Leatherhead
Little Downsend Leatherhead is a wonderful setting for children from the ages of 2 to 7, combining a warm and caring environment with an innovative, playful and vibrant approach to learning.

At Little Downsend Leatherhead, and all the Little Downsend Schools, there is an equal focus on ensuring children are happy, settled and cared for, whilst creating the very best foundation for mastering early learning skills. Class sizes are deliberately small so children benefit from personalised learning programmes and the chance to embrace every subject with curiosity and adventure.

Specialist Teaching is a key part of a Downsend education, with even the littlest benefitting from weekly lessons in French, dance, technology, Forest School, music and games. From Reception, all children visit the main school to make use of the 25m pool, and from 2022 will be able to stage performances in the 200 seat auditorium as part of the main school's £5m Creative Arts Centre development.

Teaching staff are all qualified teachers and are dedicated to ensuring that every Downsend child feels part of the family, is supported to achieve their very best, and is presented with the very best opportunities, whatever their age. Children achieve excellent academic results, far exceeding National and Surrey averages in every area.

All children in Nursery are supported to use technology appropriately, working with iPads and the very best ed-tech apps to support their learning. Little Downsend has joined the Microsoft Showcase Schools Programme and is currently following the Incubator Pathway.

Little Downsend Leatherhead offers flexible options, monthly payments and a pay-as-you-go holiday club.

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Care Provided by Little Downsend Leatherhead

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lisa Burns (Head of Little Downsend)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 50
  • Total Places for Children
  • 70
  • Age Range
    • from 2 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Holiday club offered

Funding & Fees Guide for Little Downsend Leatherhead

  • First Steps (Age 2) and Rising Reception (Age 3):
    From September 2023, the extended full-time daily rate, from: 07:45 to 18:00 is £103.01.
    A full day runs from: 07:45 – 16:00 at a cost of £88.01.
    Extended Day runs from: 16:00 – 18:00 at a daily cost of: £15.
    Little Downsend offers different rates depending on how many half days per week your child will be with us.
    Little Downsend offers a 'pay as you go' holiday club.

  • Please note, that we provide monthly payment options for our nursery year groups.

Little Downsend Leatherhead Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 1-20
9.0

Little Downsend Leatherhead has a Review Score of 9.0 (8.973) out of 10, based on 6 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Little Downsend Leatherhead has 32 reviews.

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Review from M W (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I could not be happier with Little Downsend Leatherhead. Having moved countries and my little one starting nursery for the first time, it was a daunting experience for all. However, everyone at the school made us feel welcome from the very first meet and my little one is thriving. I knew when he ran
in and jumped on his teacher in the second week, he felt safe, loved, and cared for. He now cries when there is no school on the weekend (which is a nice problem to have). I am forever grateful.

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Review from Francesca F (Mother of Child) published on 4 July 2024
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been so pleased with the progress our son has made at Little Downsend. He has been so happy to go to school and is able to talk confidently about all of the fun learning activities that he has taken part in. The communication from class teachers on the app has been wonderful- we see so many
photos of him and receive personalised comments about his progress at school too. The staff are all very caring and informative and always respond to any worries you may have about your child. My son absolutely loves the playground equipment and forest school sessions too. I'm so impressed with how my son's communication skills and have developed. Not to mention his love for reading based on the great book focus they have each week in first steps. A huge thank you to all of the teachers for their incredible efforts.

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Review from A L (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Downsend is a fantastic educational setting. We are delighted with the nursery for our daughter - the staff go above and beyond to look after, develop and engage the children. The level of feedback we receive as parents is also outstanding.

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Review from Paul R (Father of Child) published on 14 December 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We feel that our child has been really well cared for by the teaching staff and management at Downsend.
He really looks forward to going to preschool each morning, and they have developed his confidence, independence and communication skills immeasurably. Activities are well organised, from phonics,
maths, French, storytime, songs and clubs.
We receive regular, in-depth feedback, and staff are happy to meet and discuss progress and find solutions to issues.
Downsend staff have gone above and beyond to enhance our child's experience and ensure his well-being, and I can't recommend them highly enough.

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Review from H K (Mother of Child) published on 14 December 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Downsend is nothing short of incredible - couldn't be happier with the decision we made to send our daughter there. The staff are so welcoming and nurturing; our daughter's drop-offs have been actually fun since the moment she started. The learning opportunities and curriculum are impressive
with music, cooking and forest school. Little Downsend is fantastic with communication and support, meaning as a parent, there is a seamlessness between home and school. Also, I want to mention their diligence in safeguarding; it has impressed and comforted us since day one. We are very proud to be a part of such a special school community and truly feel we are giving our child the best start in life by her going there.

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Review from K B (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fabulous pre-prep (nursery) with outstanding staff who work very hard for each child.
Top-notch facilities, teaching and extra-curricular activities, my 3 year old loves the French classes in particular.

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Review from N R (Mother of Child) published on 30 January 2023
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All of the staff nurture every child to achieve their best by supporting play led by the children and small group activities. The constant use of the outdoor space in all weathers was great to see, as well as the continuous encouragement to be active by all staff. The setting has fantastic resources
for children. My daughter thrived at Little Downsend Leatherhead.

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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All the staff are really kind and loving, we feel very comfortable leaving our most precious boy at Little Downsend. He has settled in very well, and he is even happy and motivated to go to nursery every day. He loves his uniform and we noticed all the learnings our son already has in just 3 months.
He names animals, and colours, and sings new songs and his vocabulary has significantly increased since he joined Downsend. We are really proud of little Downsend and happy with its service in all aspects.

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Review from Nicola D (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2022
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can not thank the manager and her team enough for the most incredible turnaround of our little boy who had horrendous separation anxiety in any form of childcare before we began in first steps! From the introduction to the current day, he only cries when he's not going to school, and leaves me at
the door without a care in the world excited for his day. The facilities are excellent, and his confidence, words and learning are amazing. The opportunities offered for him to experience are great. We receive lots of communication and updates on his learning and well-being and have been so impressed with all aspects. Thank you all for everything first steps Leatherhead.

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Review from Lisa S (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter absolutely adores this nursery and is thriving. Best decision we made for her by far and she's coming on leaps and bounds every day. The staff are absolutely fantastic as are the facilities. I can't fault the nursery so far. We are very pleased.

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Review from E M (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Downsend Leatherhead is a wonderful nursery. Our child has settled in very quickly. The staff and communication to parents is fantastic, you get a real sense of what your child is doing and learning. They also offer a wide variety of activities including forest school, ballet, French, cooking
and rugby tots. I couldn't recommend them more highly.

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Review from Alice (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been delighted with Little Downsend since our son started in October 2020. He has been made to feel so welcome and settled really well. We have already booked him in for an extra morning since he is enjoying it so much. Thanks to all the First Steps staff for settling him in well!

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Review from Henry S (Father of Child) published on 23 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have two children who attend (one has moved up to Junior School) and my experience has been positive in every respect. In particular, I noticed that my children's behaviour improved and that they became more courteous. They also seemed to enjoy their time at school more compared to where they were
before. They also have an excellent kids club that works throughout most of the holidays.

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Review from M M (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our youngest child is currently in Year 1 have been at Little Downsend Leatherhead since she was two. We cannot fault the quality of education that she has received, and every morning she looks forward to spending another day there. All the teachers and assistants that we have experience with are superb,
and couldn't be happier! We would have no hesitation in recommending anyone sending their child/children there.

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Review from Tina B (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have three children, one is in Rising Reception, one in Year One, and my eldest has just moved from Little Downsend to the Downsend Leatherhead Main site as she is now in year 2. All of my children are very different and all are thriving and most of all they are so happy. They all really enjoy going
to school. So as a parent you really couldn’t ask for more.

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Review from Emily (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Little Downsend Leatherhead have managed the COVID situation really well. My son has thrived in the past 3 years at the school. The facilities are great with lots of outdoor space and forest school. There are good links for moving to junior school. The classes are small and the teachers
fantastic. All the extra activities make this school great like swimming, dance, French, football club etc.

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Review from Lucy C (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My children settled well into the nursery and are very happy to attend. The children enjoy the activities available. There is good communication between the school and parents. They have managed well in the current difficult situation.

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Review from Kelly M (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I’ve had two children attend Little Downsend (one still does) and it’s been the most supportive and nurturing environment. Our daughter started as soon as she turned two and I never worried about leaving her, as she settled in immediately thanks to the amazing staff. She’s now the eldest at the school
and is a confident young lady who has a love of learning. The staff are all so approachable and they really do go above and beyond. We’ve been extremely happy here and will be sad when our time comes to an end.

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Review from Nia C (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son joined Little Downsend Leatherhead in September 2020. He was made to feel extremely welcome and has been very happy there from the outset. The progress he has made in a short space of time is fantastic. The teachers are approachable, very caring and dedicated to what they do. We couldn’t recommend
highly enough. We also have a daughter at Downsend in the Junior School which is equally as good.

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Review from Roxane (Mother of Child) published on 19 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter moved here three months ago from a local nursery and to say she adores it is an understatement. As a two-and-a-half-year-old, she ran in on day one waving and each day, we are amazed at how happy she comes home, full of the joys of her day. The staff throughout the school are wonderful,
warm and welcoming at all levels and the updates we receive really do let us in on the school day. Nothing is too much trouble and we don’t know how they manage to fit it all in. The lessons are varied and fun, including French, music, cookery, stage stars, forest school and the after school club of ballet has our daughter entranced. She has already started to try and read and sound out letters and she is saying the odd French word from the songs and stories they’ve had in French. She has come on leaps and bounds in the few months she has been there. I’m only sad we hadn’t discovered the school for our older child. This place is outstanding; nurturing in its care and philosophy.

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Current Review Score: 9.0 (8.973)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.0 (8.973) out of 10 for Little Downsend Leatherhead is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 6 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.0 out of 5 from 6 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.944 for Little Downsend Leatherhead is calculated as follows: ( (67 Excellents x 5) + (4 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 71 Ratings = 4.944

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.029 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Downsend Leatherhead is based on 6 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 = 3.6

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 70 number of registered child places is 14. 6 Positive Reviews ÷ 14 = 0.429

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

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Meet the Team (1)

Vanessa

Vanessa Conlan

Job Title: Headteacher - Little Downsend

Joined: 2018

An experienced teacher of 20 years, the last 8 in headship, Vanessa is a graduate of the University of Southampton where she obtained a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education with music specialism.


Vanessa has taught in a range of schools through her career, Her strengths lie in teaching, learning and assessment and her passion lies with the Early Years and getting the very best start in education for every child. Vanessa is a mother of 2 energetic young boys, is a Harlequins Rugby club season ticket holder and loves to travel, camp and listen to live music with her family.


Frequently Asked Questions about Little Downsend Leatherhead

What is the Age Range of Children that Little Downsend Leatherhead accepts?

Little Downsend Leatherhead accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Little Downsend Leatherhead Open?

Little Downsend Leatherhead is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Little Downsend Leatherhead have capacity for?

Little Downsend Leatherhead has capacity for a total of 70 Children.

How far is Little Downsend Leatherhead to the centre of Leatherhead?

0.4 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Little Downsend Leatherhead to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Little Downsend Leatherhead has a Platinum Service – more info.